1
Take on your most important tasks first. Don't worry about trying to knock as many
items off your to-do list as possible in an effort to seem productive. Instead,
try to prioritize work that's more important or difficult to get it out of the
way.
·
In the long run, this will actually improve your productivity, because
it will likely seem easier to take on smaller tasks once the big ones are out
of the way.
2
Take breaks throughout the day to keep your energy up. Sitting in one place focused on the same
task can make you feel mentally and physically drained. To help prevent that,
take a short break every hour or two. Even something as simple as standing up
to stretch or getting a small snack can keep you more focused in the long run.
Tip: If you're
feeling mentally exhausted due to working on one project for a long time, try
switching to a different task for a little while to change things up.
3
Reach out to your coworkers during the workday for support. Loneliness and isolation can increase the
risk of burning out. If you're feeling on your own, don't be afraid to ping a
coworker for a chat about work or the challenges of working from home. Chances
are, they'll welcome the opportunity to connect, too.
·
For instance, if you're feeling overwhelmed, you might message one of
your coworkers who always makes you laugh. Even just a quick chat might help
you feel energized enough to get back to work with a better mindset.
4
Talk to your boss if you need to adjust your workload. If you're new to working from home, you
may find that distractions make it harder to get the same amount of work done
as you would in the office, especially if you live with other people. If that's
the case, take a few days to monitor how much you're actually getting done
during the day. Then, talk to your boss so they know what they can expect from
you.
·
For instance, you might say something like, "Hi Maria! Do you have
a moment to chat about my workload? I know I usually complete about 12-15
reports a day, but it's been a little hard for me to hit that since I've been
working from home. I think I could handle 10-12, though. Do you think that's
reasonable?"
·
Being realistic about your expectations applies to your off time, too.
It's totally ok to decompress in front of the TV if that's what you like
doing—don't feel pressured to be productive every moment of the day.
5
End each workday by planning for the next one. At the end of your day, spend about 5-10
looking over your unfinished or upcoming tasks. Then, note the top 3 things
you'd like to accomplish on your next workday. That way, when you sit down to
work again, you'll already know what you need to start with, and you'll be less
likely to forget an important task.
·
It can help to write down your priorities in your calendar or on a
notepad near your computer.
Method3
Balancing Your
Home Life
1
Do something after work that makes you feel relaxed. While you'll likely have to take care of
things like meals and laundry after work, try to set aside at least a little
time for yourself each day. Exactly what that looks like will be different for
everyone, but it might be as simple as watching a TV show you enjoy, playing a
game on your phone, or getting lost in a good book. By being intentional about
relaxing, you'll be more likely to feel mentally refreshed the next day.
·
For instance, if you normally go to the gym after work, you might do a
workout video at home instead.
·
If you enjoy cooking, you might spend time looking up new recipes to
try.
·
You could also go for a walk or even just sit outside for a little while
to enjoy the fresh air!
Tip: Similarly,
avoid any activities that make you feel drained or stressed out, if you can.
For instance, if you find that checking social media leaves you feeling tense
or upset, limit yourself to just checking your notifications once or twice a
day, and do something else instead!
2
Step back from work if you notice signs of burnout. If you start feeling tired all the time,
unmotivated at work, or like your emotions are somewhat less intense, you might
be dealing with burnout. In that case, it might be a good idea to ask for a few
days off or a lighter workload. If you can't do that, at least reclaim as much
of your off-time as possible so you can recharge after work.
·
For instance, you might send your boss an email that says something
like, "Hey Jeff, is okay if we scale back my assignments this week? I've
been feeling a little overloaded and I feel like it's affecting my
productivity."
·
Don't try to just push through burnout without making any
changes—long-term work stress is linked to physical conditions like headaches,
pain in your body, and even cardiovascular disease.
3
Avoid checking your work email outside of work hours. When you work from home, it can be all too
easy to find yourself answering a quick email after dinner or chatting with a
client while you're playing with your kids. However, once you set your
schedule, it's important that you maintain that boundary by only doing
work-related tasks during your actual work hours.
·
You might also consider removing work apps from your phone. That way,
you won't feel obligated to answer work emails or messages after hours, since
you won't be notified about them until you log back onto your work computer.
4
Learn to say no when you feel overwhelmed. When you're working from home, it's harder
for your employers to intuitively read when you have too much going on. That's
why it's important to speak up if you have too much on your plate.
·
Something as simple as, "I'm sorry, I don't know if I'll have time
for that today" can go a long way toward helping your boss manage their
expectations—and your workload.
For more tips and tricks stay tuned to HuntHow
